From History of Scott County, Iowa
1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co.
Rev. Enoch Mead, the subject of the following narrative, was the first Presbyterian clergyman to make a permanent settlement in Scott County. He was born in Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 2, 1809. His parents were Colonel Ebenezer Mead and Elizabeth (Holmes) Mead, both of Puritan descent. The family homestead is situated at the foot of Putnam's hill, and the farm, which has been in the family for several generations, having been purchased direct from the Indians, includes that historic place. His grandfather, Gen. Ebenezer Mead, of the Revolutionary war, was standing in the road in front of his house, and saw Gen. Putnam dash down the rocky precipice at break-neck speed, the British dragoons being in close pursuit. A full life-size likeness of Gen. Mead now adorns the home of the grandson in Iowa in the uniform of a major-general. Col. Ebenezer Mead held the rank of colonel of Connecticut militia for many years, including the war of 1812. Enoch Mead lived with his parents on the farm, attending the district school in the winter, and in the summer working on the farm, until the age of 14 years. The farm being situated on Long Island Sound, he spent much of his leisure time in boating, fishing, swimming and hunting. His parents at this time believing that a good education was better than a farm, proposed to him to qualify himself for a professional life. The proposal was no sooner made than accepted. He commenced by entering the classical school in Stamford, taught by J.F. Ferris, Esq., a graduate of Yale College. At the expiration of two years his teacher pronounced him qualified to pass through that "ordeal" required of all who become members of college. In September,1826, he applied for admission to Yale College; passed a creditable examination and was admitted as a member. In September, 1830, after four years of college life, he graduated with his class, then numbering 70 members. He then returned to his early home and spent a few anxious weeks in deciding upon his future course in life. The result was, he chose the profession of a clergyman, and in the fall of 1830, became a member of the Theological Seminary, at Auburn, New York. In this institution he pursued the usual three years' course of study. Before completing his course he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Cayuga Presbytery, April 17, 1833. The first public services in his new profession were performed in the Presbyterian church, of Lockport, New York. It was his intention when this engagement was filled to "go West," he having then in possession a commission from the American Home Missionary Society, appointing him to a Western field. About this time he received a call to become pastor of the Congregational church, of New Haven, Vt. This call was accepted, and on Jan. 8, 1834, he was ordained and installed pastor of that church, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Bates, President of Middlebury College. Mr. Mead's ministry in New Haven was a decided success. A powerful revival of religion soon followed, and as a result the church, which numbered about 200 at his settlement, was increased by frequent additions until it had doubled in numbers and strength, when he resigned his charge.
The winter of 1836 and '37 in Vermont was a severe one. Snow fell to the depth of four feet on a level. On the 10th of May following loaded teams could be seen crossing Lake Champlain in the widest part on the ice. It was under these circumstances that the young pastor decided to seek a more genial climate, although in so doing he was obliged to break away from a united and prosperous church. While in Vermont, in addition to the care of his church, he performed the duties of chaplain for the Second Regiment of the Third Brigade of Vermont Militia, having received his commission from the Governor of the State.
While in New Haven Mr. Mead was married on the 20th of January, 1835, to Miss Mary E. James, oldest child and daughter of Deacon Samuel James, a successful farmer of Middlebury, Vt. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was one of the volunteers who fought for his country at the celebrated battle of Plattsburg, where the Btitish were defeated on land and water. The union of Mr. Mead in marriage with Miss James was in all respects a wise one. The two have lived happily together for near half a century, and if spared a few years longer, can celebrate their golden wedding. They have two children, a son and daughter - James R., removed to Kansas in 1859, and is now a leading citizen of the flourishing city of Wichita; Mary E., graduated with the highest honors of her class at the Female Collegiate Institute, For Plain, New York.
Mr. Mead being released from his charge in Vermont had now an opportunity to "go West," in accordance with a long-cherished wish and purpose. Leaving his family in the care of his parents in Connecticut he set his face toward the setting sun, having no particular destination in view. His route was by the way of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, the Ohio River and up the Mississippi to Alton, Ill. While resting in Alton from the fatigue of a three weeks' journey, a pro-slavery mob destroyed the printing-press, and murdered the publisher of the Alton Observer, Elijah P. Lovejoy. Mr. Mead with a few sorrowing friends attended the funeral of this early martyr to the cause of emancipation and administered the last solemn rites. From Alton he proceeded up the Illinois River to Peoria, the last boats of the season having gone up the Mississippi. Thence he went to Knoxville, the end of public travel at that time. Leaving there his baggage, he set out on foot and alone for Rock Island, which he reached after three days' travel over a new country, almost without roads, and bridges, with the settlements from 10 to 15 miles apart.
Arriving at Rock Island he passed direct to Davenport, then a new town containing about a half dozen families. Learning at this place that there was a town four miles below called Rockingham, then the county seat, and already containing several hundred inhabitants, he traveled down to that place and received a hearty welcome as a minister of the gospel. It was represented to him that the "Sabbath had not crossed the Mississippi," but the people generally desired a Christian minister to settle among them and establish there religious institutions. Mr. Mead, believing that this was a promising field for usefulness, accepted the invitation to remain. He soon gathered a congregation, organized a Presbyterian church, and continued his services as a minister of the gospel until the decline of the town caused by the removal of the county seat to Davenport. During the first winter, as the children were growing up in ignorance, he gathered and taught a village school for one term and then returned East for his family. When at the East he boxed his goods and books and sent them to his Iowa home, via New York, New Orleans, and the Mississippi River. Then purchasing a span of horses and a covered spring wagon, he bade farewell to the Green Mountain State, and with his family set out for his new home 1,200 miles distant. His overland journey was made without accident, the weather being fine and the roads good, the longest stretch on the journey without a house being 40 miles. The journey was made in a little more than a month.
The once prosperous town of Rockingham now commenced a rapid decline, which continued until it was nearly deserted of inhabitants; the church that had been organized was swallowed up by the Metropolitan Church in Davenport. Mr. Mead then devoted himself to the missionary work in his own and the adjoining countries, and for many years continued this work. At Blue Grass and other places he supplied the gathered congregation for more than 10 years. He often made missionary tours to the distance of 100 miles, and the last year he traveled 3,000 miles. Finding that riding over the prairies in sunshine and storm, exposed to all the vicissitudes of this changing climate, his health was failing he retired from the work and has for most part since that time been engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He is now a member of the State Horticultural Society, takes an active part in their discussions; also contributes articles for their annual reports. His home is four miles below the center of the city of Davenport, and commands a charming view of the great river for several miles, and of the twin cities, Davenport and Rock Island.
Mr. Mead is a Republican in politics and has always given the party a hearty support. He is not an office seeker, but has often been elected to fill the most important offices in his township and the county. He served one term as county supervisor. He is a member of the Pioneer Association and has served as president of that society. His habits are strictly temperate; has never used tobacco in any form. He with his family still retain their connection with the Presbyterian church. He has never lost his interest in books and literary exercises; has a valuable private library of from 400 to 500 volumes, and is in constant receipt of the best periodical literature of the day. He is a friend of the poor and does all in his power to improve their condition. Kind, generous and open-hearted, he is respected and beloved by the people with whom his lot is cast. Although in his 73d year, having endured the hardships of pioneer life for 43 years, he is in possission of all his faculties, attends personally to his extensive farming operations, and is the only remaining representative in Rockingham of that energetic and determined band who labored so hard to make it a famous city. He still cherishes pleasant memories of the old homestead and its surroundings where he spent his youthful days, and the past winter visited the place for the 12th time since he removed to Iowa.